Traction-engine driving mechanism.



A. CARPENTER. I TRACTION ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEII. I915- 5 SHEETS-SHEET I- N x m E I Patented Apr. 9, 19I&

Witnesse?,\

76 fwd/1km Atto rneys,

A. CARPENTER.

TRACTION ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE II, 1915.

I Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Witnesses Invento r,

Attorneys,

A. CARPENTER. TRACTION ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

APPLlCATlON FILED JUNE H. 1915- Patented Apr. 9, 1918. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Witnesses Attorneys A. CARPENTER.

TRACTIOI ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1 l. I915- zsasw Patented Apr. 9,191&

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 Inventor Witnesses Attorneys,

A. CARPENTER.

TRACTION ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION r1150 JUNE 11. 1915.

13,262,301 Patented Apr. 9, 19 18.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- j I 1 5; 6 3 28 J9 J8 Witnesses Attorneys.

s PATEN to.

ALEXANDER CARPENTER, OF FOSTORIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NATIONAL TRACTOR & PLOW. COMPANY, OF CAREY, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TRACTION-ENGINE DRIVING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 11, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 'it known that I, ALEXANDER CARPEN- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fostoria, in the county of Seneca and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Traction-Engine Driving Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tractor plows, one of the objects of the invention being to provide a tractor having three supporting wheels all of which receive power from a motor. I

A further object is to provide asimple means whereby the direction of rotation of the machine can be controlled readily.

Another object is to provide improved means for connecting the beams of the soil engaging devices to the tractor frame, it being possible readily to adjust the front end of the beams upwardly and downwardly and additional power operating means being employed for lifting the rear ends of the beams and lowering them.

A further object is to so mount the beams that they will be capable of shifting later ally to pass unyielding obstructions in the paths thereof.

A further object is to provide a machine with which may be used right and left plows.

A further object is to provide a tractor plow in which the soil engaging devices are located in advance of the drivers seat so that they are constantly inview during the operation of the machine.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter de-' scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, withontdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure l is a plan view of the the motor being removed.

machine,

Fig.2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 33,558.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, one of the soil' engaging devices being shown lowered.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing the front portion of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the frame of the machine, said section being taken on the line AB Fig. 1.

Patented Apr. a, 1918,.

Fig. 6 is a section on line CD Fig. l,

certain of the parts being removed,

Fig. 7 is a section on line E-F Fig. 1, certain of the parts being removed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of the clutch controlling mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the foot levers used in connection with said mechanism. I

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates the top frame of the body of the machine, said frame in the structure illustrated being substantially rectangular.

Extending transversely under the front end portion of the frame 1 is a cross strip 2:

having upwardly extending steering members 3 at the end thereof and secured under the end portion of the cross strip 2 are laterally extending arms 4 and depending frame members 5. These frame members are secured upon abottom cross strip 6 which extends laterally beyond the frame members 5 and under the arms 4. Journaled within each arm a and that portion of the bottom strip 6 thereunder is a housing 7.

made up of superposed detachably connect-' ed sections. .Extending from the lower section of the housing is a spindle 8 and jour-. naled within the housing is a vertical shaft 9 having a bevel gear 10 extending outwardly from the housing. This bevel gear constantly meshes with a gear 11 upon the inner face of a disk 12 which is secured to the inner side of a supporting wheel 13 mounted for rotation on the spindle 8. The

disk 12 has a recess in its inner face, as shown at. 14, this recess receiving a circular rib 15 outstanding from the hous ng 7. Thus it will be seen that when the shaft 9 is rotated motion will be transmitted therefrom through the gears 10 and 11 to the Wheel 13 and at the same time said wheel may be swung about the axis of shaft 9. Secured 2 iuaeaaoe to the upper portion of each housing 7 is a forwardly extending arm 16, the two arms being pivotally attached to a connecting rod 17. A vertical shaft 18 is journaled in the middle-portion of the strips 2 and 6 and has a radial arm 19 extending forwardly therefrom and pivotally connected to the middle portion of the rod 17, this arm 19 being parallel with the arms 16. A gear 20 is secured to the shaft 18 and constantly meshes with a gear 21 secured to the forward end of a steering shaft 22. The rear portion of the shaft 22 is journaled in a hanger 23 suitably supported by the frame 1- and the rear end of shaft 22 is connected by a universal joint 24 to an inclined steering post 25 to the upper end of which is secured a steering wheel 26.

Each of the shafts 9 has a gear 27 at its upper end and these gears constantly mesh with gears 28 secured to the end portion of a transverse shaft 29 journaled in the hearing members 3. Said shaft 29 is made up of sections which are connected by a differential indicated generally at 30 and said differential includes a sprocket 31 adapted to be driven as hereinafter pointed out.

By referring particularly to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the connecting rod 17 is pro vided with spaced bends or ofiset portions 32 whereby it is possible for said rod to move under the front portion of the frame 1, each of said bends or offset portions 32 being adapted to straddle the vertical shaft 18. Consequently a more abrupt turn can be made by the vehicle than would otherwise be possible. It will be noted furthermore that no 1 atter in what position the wheels 13 may e set relative to the frame 1, motion will be transmitted to said wheels through gears 28 and 27 to shaft 9, gears 10 and 11.

Secured to the frame 1 and back of the cross member 2 is a cross beam33, this cross beam extending laterally beyond the sides of the frame 1 and having secured thereto hangers 3f the lower ends of which are attached to a cross beam 35 having laterally extending arms 36. In these arms 36 and the end portions of the beam. 33 are mounted guide rods 37 pivotally and slidably engaged by blocks 38, there being a spring 39 on each rod and bearing downwardly on the block 38 thereunder and upwardly against the beam 33. Each block is pivotally engaged by the forked front end 40 of a beam 41 carrying a soil engaging element, such as a plow share 42.

The cross bars 6 and 35 are rigidly connected by means of connecting bars 43 and pivotally attached to the middle portion of the bar is the front end of a reach bar 44. This reach bar curves rearwardly and upwardly and has. its rear end portion forked, as shown at 45 so as to straddle the rear supporting wheel 46. The forked portion of the reach bar extends past the wheel 46 and has a platform 47 secured thereon. The revoluble axle 18 of the wheel 46 is journaled in side members 49 which are secured to the forked portion of the reach bar and to the rear portion of the frame 1 and loosely mounted on this axle 18 is a sprocket 50 having a clutch member 51 adapted to be engaged by a shiftable clutch member 52 which is feathered on the axle 4:8. The clutch member 52 is adapted to be shifted by means of a lever 53, thus to couple the sprocket 50 to or.uncouple it from the axle 18. The lever 53 extends to a point where it can be conveniently reached by the occupant of the seat 5-t supported by platform 17 and any suitable means such as a toothed segment and a dog 56 can be used for locking lever in any position to which it may be adjusted.

The sprocket 50 is adapted to receive motion through a chain 57 from a sprocket 58 secured to a transverse shaft 59 ournaled in bearings 60 upstanding from the sides of the frame 1. Another sprocket (31 is secured to the shaft 59 and motion is adapted to be transmitted therefrom through a chain (52 to the sprocket 31 hereinbefore referred to.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 59 are opposed beveled gears (53 and (31 each of which has a clutch member revoluble therewith. A clutch member (56 is feathered on shaft 59 and is adapted to couple gear 61 to said shaft while another clutch member 67 is feathered on shaft 59 and is adapted to couple gea1""(33 to said shaft. A sprocket 68 is revoluble with the clutch member (37. In.- terposed between the gears 63 and 6i and constantly meshing with them is a drive gear (39 secured to a drive shaft 70 which receives motion directly from a motor, not shown. Each of the clutch members 66 and 67 is engaged by a forked arm 71, these arms being secured to the end portions of a rod 72 mounted to slide transversely within the frame 1.

A finger 73 extends downwardly from the rod and is engaged by the forked end 7 4- of i one arm 75 of a T-shaped lever 76, which is fulcrumed within the frame 1. The oppositely extending arms of the lever 76 are connected by resilient rods 77 to foot levers 78 fulcrumed upon the rear or forked portion of the reach bar. A bracket 79 is secured to platform 47. adjacent each lever 78 and pivotally connected to each bracket is a bell crank lever 80 constituting a latch, the upper arm of the lever being notched, as at 81 and ha ving a foot piece 82 at its free end while the lower arm of the leveris secured to a spring 83 whereby the notched arm 80 is normally pressed upwardly against a stud or projection 84 on the foot lever 78. Consequently when the foot lever .78 is thrust forwardly the stud or projection 84 will become seated in the notch 81 and return movement of the foot lever 7 8 will be prevented. When one foot lever 78 is pressed forward the other foot lever 78 Will be thrust rearwardly and the two clutch members 66 and 67 Will be simultaneously shifted in one direction. Consequently one ofthe gears 64 or 63 will be coupled to shaft 59. By coupling together the two foot levers in the manner described it will be apparent that it will not be possible to throw both clutch members 66 and 67 into active positions at the same time. Before these clutch members can be shifted it is necessary first to reverse one of the latch levers 80 and to then thrust forward one of the foot levers 7 8.

Journaled in suitable bearings provided therefor upon the rear portion of the frame 1 is a transverse shaft 85 provided at each end with a winding spool 86. Mounted on an intermediate portion of the shaft is a clutch member 87 provided with a sprocket 88 which receives motion through a chain 89 from the sprocket 68. This clutch member 87 is constantly rotated on shaft 85 during the rotation of clutch member 67. Shaft 85 is preferably made up of two separate sections, one spool 86 being secured to each section.

Feathered on each of the sections of shaft 85 .is a clutch member 90 and the two clutch members are connected by a rod 91 slidably mounted in brackets 92 supported by frame 1. This rod is engaged by one end of an actuating lever 93 suitably supported adjacent the seat 54 and by means of which either of the clutch members 90 can 'be shifted into engagement with the clutch member 87.

Consequently by manipulating lever 93,

either of the sections ofshafts 85 can be coupled to the clutch member 87 or both of said shaft sections can be left idle.

Secured to each of the-spools 86 is a chain 94 or other flexible element which extends downwardly and is secured to the rear por tion of the adjacent beam 41. Thus it will be seen that when either of the spools is rotated it will either wind or unwind the connection 48, thus to raise or lower the beam 41 to which it is secured.

Pivotally mounted on the frame 1 at each side of the rear portion thereof is an ad justing lever 95. To each lever is secured one end of a flexible element 96 which extends forwardly over a guide sheave 77 and thence downwardly, the front end of the connection being secured to one of the blocks 38. Obviously by pulling one of the levers 95 rearwardly it will pull through the con to said block, this elevation of the block being resisted by the spring 39 thereabove. Each lever 95 may be held in adjusted position in any suitable manner, as by means of a toothed segment 98 and a dog 99.-

Fixedly connected to each side of. the frame 1 is a spring arm 100 and the rear portion of each arm is securedto one of the beams 41'. These spring arms serve to hold thebeams 41 normally in proper position relative to the path of the machine but they permit each beam 41 to shift laterally in order to pass an obstruction, each spring 100 serving automatically to return the beam 41 to proper position after the obstruction has been passed.

Pivotally connected to the rear portion of frame 1 at each side thereof is a latch lever 101 the lower end of which is provided with a head 102. A spring 103 bears against the upper portion of each lever 101,

so as thus to hold the head 102 thrust forthe operator pushes against the upper end of lever 101 whereupon the head 102 will be swung rearwardly out of engagement with the projection 104 and the beam can then be lowered.

As has heretofore been pointed out, by manipulating the foot lever '78, each of the gears 64 or 68 can be coupled-to shaft 59 and, consequently, said shaft can be rotated in either directionif desired, so as to drive the machine forwardly or rearwardly. By means of the clutch member 52, the rear wheel 46 can be coupled to or uncoupled from the shaft 59.

A machine such as herein described is advantageous for the reason that both right hand and left hand plows can be carried thereby the beam of each plow can be quickly raised at either or both ends, each beam is free to shift laterally so as to pass an unyielding obstruction, and each beam can be locked when raised out of engagement'with the soil. The machine is further advantageous for the reason that power is can be used as an ordinary tractor for the purpose of pulling machinery of different kinds.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. In a machine of the class described, an upper frame, depending structures fixedly connected thereto and to each other, a, reach bar extending rearwardly from said depending structures and having a forked rear portion, platform mounted upon said forked rear portion, connections between said forked portion and the upper frame, a drive axle journaled in said connections, a rear wheel supporting said axle, and front wheels supporting the opposite end portion of the frame.

2. In a machine of the class described, a frame, depending structures fixed relative thereto, front supporting wheels, a reach bar extending rearwardly from said depending structure and having a forked rear portion, connections between said forked portion and the frame, a drive axle journaled in said connections, a supporting wheel upon the axle, a platform embracing said wheel and supported by the forked portion of the reach bar, a drive shaft, and means for transmitting motion from said shaft to all of the supporting wheels simultaneously.

3. In a machine of the class described, a frame, depending structures fixed relative thereto, front supporting Wheels, a reach bar extending rearwardly from said depending structure and having aforked rear portion, connections between said forked por tion and the frame, a drive axle journaled in said connections, a supporting wheel upon the axle,,a platform embracing said wheel and supported by the forked portion of the reach bar, a drive shaft, and foot controlled means for coupling said drive shaft to the supporting wheels to drive all of the wheels simultaneously in either direction.

4. The combination with a. frame, and

supporting wheels, of a drive shaft, separate means for transmitting motion from said drive shaft to the respective supporting wheels, said means including clutch members, separate foot levers, a connection between the clutch members, means for transmitting motion from either foot lever to said connection and means adjacent each foot lever for locking the lever in one of two positions.

5. The combination with a frame, and supporting wheels, of a drive shaft, separate means for transmitting motion from said drive shaft to the respective supporting wheels, said means including clutch members, separate foot levers, a connection between the clutch members, means for transmitting motion from either foot lever to said connection and means adjacent each foot lever for locking the lever in one of two positions, said locking means including a bell crank lever having a notched arm, a projection upon the foot lever for engagement by the notched arm, and a spring connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever for holding said lever normally in position for engagement by the projection.

6. The combination with a frame, housings mounted to rotate about vertical axes, supporting wheels revoluble relative to the housings, of a shaft intermediate the housings,'1neans for rotating the shaft, a radial "arm extending from the shaft, radial arms extending from the housings, a cross bar pivotally connected to all of the arms, said bar having depressions for the reception of the intermediate shaft during one limit of the swinging movement of the arm.

In. testimony that I claim the foregoing as my owind have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER CARPENTER.

Witnesses:

H. G. CHAMBERS, C. G. SPENCER. 

